Book Notes: Lead…for God’ Sake!


lead for god sakeHere is a great leadership book for everyone. From the CEO, the Coach, the Store Manager, it doesn’t matter, there are principles in this book that will help every leader to get ahead of the game and excel as a leader.

This book is a parable of a coach of a high school basketball team who learns how to get the most out of his players. I will be honest and tell you that I downloaded the book at the recommendation of a friend several months ago. I read the first chapter or two and laid it aside because I just didn’t feel like it was going anywhere. Last week I picked it back up and I am so glad that I did. It starts out a little slow and you may think this is going nowhere but just keep reading.

If you are like me, I sometimes feel like fiction isn’t worth my time but then I read it and it is life changing. This is a worthwhile book that I give 5 of 5 stars. Even if you aren’t in a leadership role at the current time, it is worth your time.

It is the story of a coach, a wealthy business man and a janitor. The business man and the coach both want success and they will do whatever it takes to have it. The Janitor is a whole different story and the surprises are true to life. Yes, this is a book written from a Christian stand point but the principles will work for anyone.

““Let’s back up just a bit. One of the most destructive myths flying around today is the myth that says you should pursue, with all your heart, whatever you’re most passionate about in your life. Anything else you do is somehow . . . beneath you. This lie is simply an extension of the whole success thing we’ve been talking about. So many today get caught up in the notion that we’re each created to fulfill one great mission in life—which, don’t get me wrong, we are, in a sense. However, their picture of this great mission gets clouded by their heart’s desire to achieve success as the world defines it.”

““Everybody wants to build ‘the great platform,’ be the billionaire entrepreneur, or the mega movie star, or the president of the company. That’s where their ‘passion’ lies. So they stumble through life with a ‘Just wait until . . .’ attitude, all the while failing to see the value in their current position in life today. I especially see this with young people. They pursue their ‘passions’ in life, the things they really enjoy doing or the things they feel most gifted doing, in many cases at the expense of how God has called them to live today. If God called Joseph to be a slave, Moses to live in a desert, and David to shepherd sheep, who are we to think he’s called us to pursue only what we’re most passionate about? Can you imagine David sitting around complaining about taking care of his father’s sheep? ‘This stinks. I’m a good-looking guy who has all kinds of natural leadership abilities. I’m a talented musician, a skilled warrior . . . I’m fit to be a king. Why should I shepherd these sheep? Risk my life to kill this lion? I don’t think so. Just wait until I’m . . .’ Get it? Dreams are great, and passion is a powerful emotion, but both should follow the acceptance of our true purpose, not precede it!

“Commit to living out your purpose today, being the best you can be right where you are.”

“You are where you are for a reason. You can either learn to embrace it and be your best or reject it and drag your feet through the rest of your life.”

 

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